[Duke461]

Hopefully im not making this too much of a back and forth argument.....

Originally Posted by Djur

• I was holding the opposite end of the bridge up to allow the robot on because it doesn't have a lowering mechanism (last year's bot). The robot moved under its own power the entire time.
• There's uneven friction on the mecanums and the fiberboard is ~3x more slippery than the actual Lexan surface, so it takes longer to drive up.
• The drivetrain will not fall off the robot (if that's what you meant), nor will the robot drive off the edge if there's a careful driver.
• Not really. Mecanums still have good grip on the surface of the bridge.
• Not my robot, so I don't know what's up in that video.
• That applies for every robot, too.
• I can't see how that's applicable specifically to mecanums.

Hope this helps.

• I know, but i think the fact that the bridge isn't going to move no matter what helps the robot. Not too sure, so let's drop that one.
• Again, not an expert on this aspect, but I think Mecanum's act differently in that they need less friction ( or more friction) than most wheels to work properly. I'll conced this since i can't really support that.
• I meant the entire robot, sorry for the confusion. And notice you said IF the driver drives carefully. Please note again my original second point on how long it will take, and how driving carefully lengthens the time. In addition to this, other factors besides careful driving can affect this. And no, it does not have to be done in the means of a technical foul.
• Again, I can't mathematically support my claim, so i will concede this.
• Not everyone has your robot either. I made this point as a generalization for Mecanum', not necessarily yours in particular.
• Correct, but wheels that have higher friction (e.g., pneumatics) will mitigate the CoG issues.
• I don't know if you've ever played offense in a real match with mecanums with a decent defender. But I have. And for a good defender to push you around is as easy as beating a 2nd grader in basketball.

Round two.

Originally Posted by ThirteenOfTwo

• Slippery surface, high CoG robot, early test. Our tests show it doesn't take nearly that long.
• The bridge has more than enough maneuvering room; if you fall off it's because you drove really badly.
• Find me an opposing robot blocking your bridge and I will find you a nine-point technical foul. Besides, bridge traffic is likely negligible.
• Mecanums can have wheel guards and wedges built in, same as any drive.
• But it had less friction.
• Score from the key.

• I disagree. Too long. (stalemate here)
• Not true at all. Many factors determine driving--jjust one of them is the driver's skill. There's no reason to rely on the driver's skill when designing a robot.
• Find me a Regional with every robot code working properly and I will find you the 2013 FRC Water Game Designs. You not making it onto the bridge is not exlusive to technical fouls.
• Why overdesign when you can use other wheels that don't need these ridges? Have you proven yet that these wedges will be effective enough? (In no way am I saying it can't be done.)
• See my earlier point higher in this post. I will concede this.
• Why are assuming you will always be on the key? If I were a defensive driver, there would be plenty of way i could keep you off the key, directly and/or indirectly.

-Duke